Gannett, Frank E. (Frank Ernest), 1876-1957

While a student at Cornell University, Frank Gannett worked as a reporter for the ITHACA JOURNAL, correspondent for newspapers in other cities, and editor of the CORNELL DAILY SUN. He accompanied the first United States Commission to the Philippines as secretary to its chairman, Jacob Gould Schurman, then President of Cornell. Returning to Ithaca, New York in 1900, he worked for the ITHACA DAILY NEWS and the CORNELL ALUMNI NEWS. He also worked for a time in New York City and Pittsburgh. From 1906-1937 he purchased newspapers in Elmira, Ithaca, Albany, Rochester, Saratoga, and other New York cities; Hartford, Connecticut; Plainfield, New Jersey; and Danville, Illinois. In 1935 he established the Frank E. Gannett Newspaper Foundation, which became the controlling owner of Gannett Co., Inc. when he died. Gannett was also a member and president of the Cornellian Council and in 1926 was elected a trustee of Cornell University, serving until 1949. Although he was an early supporter of Franklin D. Roosevelt, Gannett later became a vociferous opponent of New Deal policies. He was William Borah's running mate for the 1936 Republican nomination for president, and in 1940 Gannett ran for the nomination himself, losing to Wendell Willkie. He remained active in politics, serving as Assistant Chairman of the Republican National Committee in 1942.

Frank Gannett also raised funds for various philanthropic organizations, including the Navy Relief Society, the United Negro College Fund, and the Red Cross. Gannett died in 1957 after a prolonged illness.

...